Federal sequestration will cut north country school budgets

Across-the-board, automatic federal spending cuts took effect Friday and north country schools will see decreases in aid that could put programs and staffing at risk.

The cuts, known as sequestration, will reduce education funding across the board, specifically primary and secondary education funding in New York state by $42.7 million in the first year alone.

Sequestration would also reduce federal aid for children with disabilities by $36.3 million.

The White House issued a news release estimating that sequestration would put roughly 520 teacher and teacher aide jobs at risk, along with the quality of public education to 70,000 students across the state.

James R. Koch, business manager at Indian River Central School, said sequestration will seriously impact that school because it serves a large population of military families who live in tax-exempt housing.

Mr. Koch said he expects to lose roughly $1 million in federal aid with another $128,000 in cuts lined up for the fall. Indian River receives roughly $18,800,000 in federal aid each year.

Nobody else has something that looks like that, Mr. Koch said of the schools reliance on federal aid.

Mr. Koch said the school district is as prepared as it can be.

In March 2012 we accounted for the sequester, Mr. Koch said.

He said the districts 2012-2013 budget did not include $1 million in federal aid.

There is no near-term impact because its not on this years budget, he said. We are naturally conservative when it comes to these things.

Potsdam Central School Superintendent Patrick H. Brady said sequestration will also impact his district going forward.

At this time when we are trying to put together a budget, its a real concern that we are going to lose this important aid, Mr. Brady said.

Potsdam District Business Manager Laura Hart said the district is looking at a $60,000 to $70,000 cut in federal funding.

Mr. Brady said he doesnt think sequestration will impact the current fiscal year, but the 2013-2014 budget will take a hit.

Given that were already cutting and dealing with a major deficit due to the lack of state aid, we would once again be put in a position to look at cutting expenditures, which would include staffing, Mr. Brady said.

He said the $60,000 to $70,000 his district stands to lose is roughly equivalent to another teaching position.

The federal sequestration could have a significant impact on a very difficult situation, Ogdensburg City School District Superintendent Timothy M. Vernsey said.

Mr. Vernsey said Ogdensburg stands to lose roughly $60,000 with the 10 percent cut to Title 1 funding that went into effect Friday.

Wed have less money for staff development, Mr. Vernsey said. It probably wouldnt result in any staff cuts.

Mr. Vernsey cautioned, however, that he still does not know what the total cut will be. He expects to learn more over the coming weeks.

Massena Central School Superintendent Roger B. Clough II said he also is unsure of the exact amount of aid his district stands to lose.

Any reduction in school aid due to sequestration will deepen districts financial problems, he said. In the end, sequestration will hurt the kids in our region.